Studio couch



May 27, 194-1. 1. M, PINK IVETAL 2,243,680

' STUDIO ooucn Filed July ,22, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 22 r V M75 15jhzMPzh/r and V'czor Begsirom fl v I! y Patented May 27, 1941 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFF! CE 9 Claims.

:The 1 present inventionrelates to improvements instudio couches, andhas particularly reference to a '-newand improved studio couch havingtwo relatively slidable sections adapted to be -posi tioned in nested orsuperimposed relation for use-ass. seat or lounge, and to-be movedintorelatively projected-positionto provide a double sleeping'surface.

One of theobjects of the invention is to provide a couch of theforegoing charaoterhaving a novel actuating'mecha'nism interconnectingthe couch sections, and operable with a positivemeehanical action toeffectmovement of the couch sections either into relatively projectedposition or relatively retracted position.

A :further object is to provide a twin section studio couch ofrtheforegoing character in which one of thesections isprovided with aswinging back connected to the actuating mechanism, and aciaptedin itsswinging movements-to serve as an actuating levenmovable synchronouslywith the relative sliding movement of the sections."

Another object is to provide a'new andimproved actuating mechanism forrelatively sliding the two sections of-a twin section studio couch intoand; out of nested relation which is operable to lock the sectionsselectively in either of the two'extreme positions of relativeadjustment.

A further object is to provide a novel actuating mechanism of I theforegoing character which .Argener-al objectof the invention is toprovide,

a novel twin section studio couch having an actuating -mechanisminterconnecting the'sections which is simple and inexpensive inconstruction, which is easy to operate, and which is substantiallyconcealed-from viewwhen the'sections are in assembled relation.

Other-obiectsand advantages will become ap parent as the descriptionproceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a fragmentary transversevertical-sectional" view,

stantially along line 2---2 of Fig. 3,-butillustrat ingthe couchsections in relatively projected positiorn Fig; 3'isairagmentaryplanviewof the couch with the sections in'relatively projected position.- Ir *Fig. 4 is a-fra-gmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view of thecouch taken substantially along lined- 4 of-'Fig.1.

5 is a fragmentary view similar't'oFigl "l, but illustrating a modifiedform of-the invention.

Fig. 6 -is a fragmentary view similar'toFi-g. '1, but illustrating'another m-odified form of the invention.

Fig. Tisa view similar to Fig. 6, but illustrating the couch sectionsinrelatively projectedposition.-

While :the' invention is susceptible of various modifications and"alternative constructions, we have shown in'the drawings and will-hereindescribe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to beunderstoodthat we' donut thereby intend to limit the invention to thespecificform disclosed, but-intend to cover all modifications andalternative constructions falling within the spirit and scopeof theinvention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring --more particularly to the drawings, the couch-illustrated inFigs. 1 to 4, and-constituting one-embodiment of the invention,comprises two relatively slidable couch sections 1 and '2 adapted tobenested or telescope'd inzvertic-ally superimposed relation-asillustrated 'in Figs: 1 and 4,. or to be adjusted intoseparated orrelatively-projected position as"illustrat-ed"in Figs. 2 and 3. -One'ofthe sections, ior'exam1'ale, the bottom or inner-section I-, maybestationaryand the-other section, for example, the top or outer sectionmay be 'slidabl-e. In the present in stance; the's'tati-onary" section Iis provided with a reetan'gular horizontal 'reenforc'ed frame 3' havmg vposition on the floor, and' hav-ing a longitudinal frofitcilannelmemberjt'. A suitable spring truc ture 6 is mounted in theframe}, and is adapted to receive a sleeping pad or cushion I when thestationary section I is uncovered. .The top or movablecouch sectionZcomprises a horderframeB ,openat .therear to receive the stationary.section I andmore particularly comprising a longitudinal frontchannelmember! anduend channel-memberstl ll. :A'rear longitudinal angle bar tlspans and is secured to the tops of the 'rear' ends of the frame members10..

cal corner leg-s I adapted" to rest in fixed I Each of the frame members9 and in has upper and lower flanges l2 and i3 extending inwardly invertically spaced relation.

The section 2 is supported by four corner legs 14 which are secured tothe lower flanges l3 of the end members l0, and which are provided withcasters t5 adapted to roll on the floor. Aprons I 6, also secured to thelower flanges l3 of the frame, serve to conceal the legs l4substantially from view.

Mounted on the top of the frame 9, I9 is a box spring structure I!adapted to provide a seating surface or a sleeping surface. A cushion 1may be interchangeably positioned on the spring structure I! when thecouch sections l and 2 are in relatively retracted position, or on thespring structure 6 when the sections are in relatively extendedposition. The spring structure I I may be covered with upholsterymaterial l8.

Secured to the outside of the frame end members l9 and rising therefromare two upright arm rests I 9. Each of these rests consists of an endframe substantially in the form of an inverted U, with the upper rearcorner rounded as indicated at 29, and with the leg portions connectedby a horizontal crossbar 2|. The couch section 2 is provided with alongitudinal back rest 22 having generally L-shapedend members 23pivotally connected adjacent their free ends, as at 24, respectively tothe crossbars 2|. Attached to the vertical portions of the members 23are two curved lugs or yieldable pads 25 adapted to seat respectively onthe rear corners 29 of the arm'rests l9 to support the back rest 22 inrear position as shown in Fig. 1, when the sections I and 2 are inrelatively retracted position. The back rest 22 is pivotal from its rearposition into a forward position substantially against the front member9 of the section 2 as shown in Fig. 2.

The two couch sections l and 2 are positively interconnected by amechanical actuating mechanism operable by the back rest 22 in thecapacity of a lever to move the section 2 in synchronism with the backrest into projected or'retracted position relative to the section I.

The actuating mechanism, at each end of the couch. comprises a lever 26of the third order, one end of which'is pivotally connected at 21 to aninwardly extending bracketarm or lug 28 rigidly securedto the upperflange l2 of the adjacent frame end member ID, and the other end ofwhich is pivotally connected by a pin 29 to the front channel member 5of the couch section I. The pin 29 is rigidly fixed to the lever 26, andextends downwardly through an elongated slot 39 in the upper'forwardlyprojecting flange of an angle bracket'3l secured to the front of theframe member 5; The lower end of the pin 29 is flattened to provide aflared key 32 rotatable, as an incident to the swinging of the lever 26,into interlocking relation to the slot 30. Except when the couch section2 issubstantially infully projected position, "the pin 29 is not readilyaccessible, and the locking key 32 is not in parallel alignment with theslot 39, and hence prevents separation of the lever 26,from the bracket3|. The slot .30 permits relative shifting of the pin 29 toaccommodatethe arcuate movement of the latter as the lever 26 is swungfrom either extreme position to theother. g The lever 26 is pivotallyconnected intermediate its ends to a link 33 in turn pivotally connectedto a slide bar 34 mounted on the adjacent frame member ID forlongitudinal movement transversely of the couch section 2. To providemeans for supporting and guiding the bar 34, two depending brackets 35are fixed to the upper flange l2 of the frame member I0 at oppositesides of the bracket arm 28. Headed pins 36 extend through twolongitudinal slots 31 in the bar 34, and confine the latter slidablyagainst the brackets 35.

The rear end of the bar 34 is pivotally connected to one end of a link38 which is bent to extend first upwardly, then forwardly and finallyupwardly and forwardly at an angle, and the forward end of which ispivotally connected by a pin 39 tothe end of a lever arm 40 pivoted tothe crossbar 2| at 24 and constituting an extension of the horizontalportion of the adjacent end member 23 of the back rest 22.

When the back rest 22 is in its rear position and also when it is in itsforward position, the pin 39 is located substantially in the samehorizontal plane as the pivot 24, and consequently the couch sections land 2, when either in relatively projected position or relativelyretracted position, are locked against relative movement except throughswinging actuation of the back rest 22 acting as a lever of the firstorder.

The two levers 26 at the opposite ends of the couch are interconnectedby equalizing means to insure straight line movement of the couchsection 2. This means consists of two crossbars 4| secured respectivelyto the levers 26 adjacent the pivots 21, and cross cables 42 connectingthe ends of each bar respectively to the reverse ends of the other bar.

In operation, when it is desired to project the couch section 2 from thecouch section I, the back rest 22 is swung forwardly. The end mem bers23 of the back rest 22 operate as levers of the first order, and actthrough the arms 49 and the links 38 to shift the bars 34 rearwardly onthe frame members I0. As a result, the bars 34 act through the links 33,as represented in Fig. 3, to swing the levers 26 of the third order fromtheir forward position (illustrated in dotted outline) to their rearposition (illustrated in full outline), the slots 30 accommodating thearouate movement of the pins 29. Since the pivots defined by the pins 29are fixed to the couch section I against movement laterally of thecouch, the section 2 is forced or projected forwardly off of the sectionI in harmonic synchronization with the progressive forward swingingmovement of the back rest 22. Upon returning the back rest 22 into itsrear position, the action is reversed to move the couch section 2 intoretracted position over the section I.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified form of the invention in which the backrest is permitted a limited swinging movement before actuation of theupper or top couch section. In all other respects, the two forms aresubstantially alike in construction, and hence the parts of the secondform are identified by the same reference numerals, with the addition ofthe letter a, as the corresponding parts of the first form, and only thestructural and functional differences will be described.

In Figs. 1 to 4, the pivot pin 39 extends through a closely fittinghole" in the forward end of the link 38. 'In Fig.5, the pin '39 extendsthrough a longitudinal slot 43 in the link 38 of such length that theback rest 22 will swing forwardly through a small angle, for example,into the dotted position indicated in Fig. 5, before the actuatingmechanism will begin to project the couch section 2 into forwardposition, and likewise that the backrest will swing rearwardly through asmall angle before the actuatingmechanism will begin to return the couchsection 2 into retracted position.

Apart from the slight initial swinging: movement of the back rest 22* inprojecting-the upper section 2 forwardly or in retracting the section 2from projected position, the couch of Fig. 5 operates in the same manneras the couch of Figs. 1 to 4. Movement of the upper section 2*,throughout its entire range, is attended. and "causedby swingingmovement, of the lever back 22 in timed relation.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate another'modified form of the invention which isclosely similarto-the form of Figs. 1 to 4*, and of which the partscorresponding to parts of the first form are identified by the samereference numerals plus the letter b. In this form, the mechanicalconnection between the slide bars 34 and'the frame3 of the section l isexactly the same: as that between the bars 34 and frame 3 in Figs. 1. to4,

but the connection between the bars. 34 and the end members 23 of theback rest ZZ 'isdifierent. More particularly, the rear" end of each bar3.4 is connected through a generally horizontal; link 44 to the lowerend of a generally vertical lever 45 pivoted intermediate its ends at418. on slug 1 4 1- securedto the rear leg of the adjacent arm rest W Agenerally horizontal link 48 is connected at the rear end to the; upperend of the lever 45, andat the front: endby a pin to the associated endmember 23 of the back rest 22*. In this instance, the pin 49 is spacedfrom the end of the member 23 which acts as a crank about the center 24to oscillate the lever 45in synchronism with the swinging movements ofthe rest 22 We claim as our invention:

1. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationarycouch section, a normally movable couch section mounted for rectilinearmovement into and out of position over said stationary section, a backrest having end members pivotally mounted on opposite ends of saidmovable section for swinging movement from a back position into aforward position, an

actuating mechanism at one end of said movable section comprising alever pivoted to said movable section, a bracket fixed on saidstationary section and. having a longitudinal slot, a pin on. said leverprojecting slidably through said slot and formed with a key preventingseparation. from said bracket except when said sections are inrelatively extended position, and means interconnecting said lever withsaid back rest to swing said lever in timed relation to the swingingmovement of said back rest, a duplicate actuating mechanism at the otherend of said movable couch sect-ion, crossbars secured to said levers ofsaid actuating mechanisms, and cross cables connecting the opposite endsof said bars to equalize the movement of said levers.

2. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationarycouch section, a normally movable couch section mounted for rectilinearmovement into and out of position over said stationary section, a backrest having end section, a bracket fixed on-said stationary section andhaving a longitudinal slot, a pinon said lever projecting slidablythrough said slot and formed with a key preventing separation fromsaidbracket except when said sections are in relatively extendedposition, and means interconnecting said lever with said back rest toswing said lever in timed relation to the swinging movement of said backrest, a duplicate actuating mechanism at the other end of said movablecouch. section, and means for; coordinating the operationv of saidactuating mechanisms so as to equalize the movements of the oppositeends of said movable section.

3. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationarycouch section, a normally movable couch section mounted for rectilinearmovement into and out of position telescoping with said stationarysection, a back rest having end members pivotally mounted on oppositeends of said movable section for swinging movement from a back positioninto a forward position, an actuating mechanism at one end of saidmovable sectioncomprising a horizontal-inwardlyextending lever undersaid movable sec tion pivoted at one end to said movable section forswinging movement generally transversely of said sections. and pivotedat the other end through a longitudinal sliding connection to said.stationary section, and meansinterconnecting said lever with said backrest to swing said lever in timed relation to the swinging movement ofsaid back rest whereby to effect relative transverse movementofsaid:sections, a duplicate actuating mechanism at the other end of saidmovable couch. section, and means for coordinating the operation of saidactuating mechanisms so as to equalize the movements of the oppositeends of said movable section.

i. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationarybottom couch section having alongitudinal. front frame member; atopcouch section slidably movable into and out. of position over saidstationary section. and'havinga' frame with opposite end frame membersand open at the rear to receive said stationary section, arm restssecured to the. ends of said last mentioned'frame, aback rest. having.end members pivoted respectively to said arm rests and being movablerearwardly into stop engagement with said arm. rests to define a normalback position and movable forwardly into a front position clear of. thetop of said movable section, two actu ating mechanisms respectively at.opposite ends oi said movable section, each actuating mechanismcomprising an inwardly extending lever connected at the outer end to.the adjacent end framemembe'r of said movable section and at the otherend forpivotal and relative longitudinal sliding movement to: said frontframe member, a slide bar mounted on the adjacent end frame member'formovement transversely of said Section, a pivotal link interconnectingsaid slide bar and said lever, a vertical lever pivoted on the rear ofsaid movable section and pivotally connected at the lower end through alink to the rear end of said bar, and a link pivotally conmeeting theupper end of said vertical lever to the adjacentend member of said backrest eccentrically of the back rest pivot, and means for equalizing theswinging movement of said actuating levers. 7 I

5. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationarybottom couch section having a longitudinal front frame member, a topcouch section slidably movable into and out of position over saidstationary'section and having a frame with opposite end frame membersand open at the rear to receive said stationary section, a back resthaving end members pivoted respectively to said end frame members andbeing movable rearwardly into a normal back position and movableforwardly into a front position clear of the top of said movablesection, two actuating mechanisms respectively at opposite ends of saidmovable section, each actuating mechanism comprising an inwardlyextending lever connected at the outer end to the adjacent end framemember of said movable section and at the other end for pivotal andrelative longitudinal sliding movement to said stationary section, aslide bar mounted on said adjacent end frame member and connected tosaid lever for synchronous movement transversely of said movablesection, and a pivotal link interconnecting said slide bar and theadjacent end member of said back rest for movement in timed relation.

6. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationarybottom couch section having a longitudinal front frame member, a topcouch section slidably movable into and out of position over saidstationary section and having a frame with opposite end frame membersand open at the rear to receive said stationary section, arm restssecured to the ends of said last mentioned frame, a back rest having endmembers pivoted respectively to said arm rests and being movablerearwardly into stop engagement with said arm rests to define a normalback position and movable forwardly into a front position clear of thetop of said movable section, two levers of the third order pivoted tosaid end frame members and extending inwardly therefrom, pin and slotconnections between said levers and said front member, two horizontalbars slidably confined for reciprocation transversely of said sectionson said end frame members, two links pivotally connecting said levers tosaid bars, two links pivotally connected to the rear ends of said barsand pivotally connected to said end members eccentrically of theconnections of said end members with said arm rests, and meansequalizing the movements of said levers, whereby said back rest isoperable in its swinging movement to effect movement of said movablesection in timed relation.

7. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationarycouch section, a movable couch section mounted for rectilinear movementinto and out of telescoping relation to said stationary section, a backrest mounted for swinging movement on said movable section either into anormal back position or into a forward position clear of the top of saidmovable section, said back rest including a back rest member extendinglongitudinally from one end to the other end of said couch, andmechanical means positively interconnecting said back rest and saidstationary section and operable to slidably project said movable sectionforwardly from said stationary section upon swinging movement of saidback rest into forward position and to slidably retract said movablesection rearwardly upon swinging movement of said back rest into backposition, said connection including a lost motion permitting a freeinitial movement of said back rest in either direction and thereaftereffecting movement of said movable section in timed relation to theswinging movement of said back rest, whereby the forward movement ofsaid movable section is delayed to avoid inconvenience to the operatorin the forward swinging movement of said back rest member.

8. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationarycouch section, a couch section slidably movable into and out of positiontelescoping with said stationary section and having a frame withopposite end frame members, a back rest having end members with pivotalconnections to said end frame members and being movable rearwardly intoa normal back position and movable forwardly into a front position clearof the top of said movable section, a lever of the third order pivotedto one of said end frame members and extending inwardly therefrom, pinand slot connection between the other end of Said lever and saidstationary section, a horizontal bar slidably confined for reciprocationtransversely of said sections on said one end frame member, a linkpivotally connecting said lever and said bar, and a link connecting saidbar and the adjacent end member of said back rest, said last mentionedlink having a pivotal pin and slot connection with said one end memberof said back rest to permit independent swinging of said back rest overa predetermined range and then timed movement of said back rest and saidmovable section.

9. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationarycouch section, a normally movable couch section mounted for rectilinearmovement into and out of position over said stationary section, a backrest having end members pivotally mounted on opposite ends of saidmovable section for swinging movement from a back position into aforward position, an actuating mechanism at one end of said movablesection comprising a lever pivoted to said movable section, a bracketfixed on said stationary section and having a longitudinal slot, a pinon said lever projecting slidably through said slot, and meansinterconnecting said lever with said back rest to swing said lever intimed relation to the swinging movement of said back rest, a duplicateactuating mechanism at the other end of said movable couch section,cross bars secured to said levers of said actuating mechanisms, andcross cables connecting the opposite ends of said bars to equalize themovement of said levers,

IRA M. PINK. VICTOR BERGSTROM.

